You are here

  • Home
  • Al-Ittihad overcome Al-Taawoun after another last-gasp Aouar winner

Al-Ittihad overcome Al-Taawoun after another last-gasp Aouar winner

Al-Ittihad overcome Al-Taawoun after another last-gasp Aouar winner
Al-Ittihad players celebrate beating Al-Taawoun 2-1 in their second SPL match of the season. (X/@ittihad_en)
Short Url

https://arab.news/9dzry

Updated 30 August 2024
Arab News
Follow

Al-Ittihad overcome Al-Taawoun after another last-gasp Aouar winner

Al-Ittihad overcome Al-Taawoun after another last-gasp Aouar winner
  • The Algerian star had also scored a stoppage time winner against Al-Okhdood on the opening day of the Saudi Pro League season
Updated 30 August 2024
Arab News
Follow

JEDDAH: Houssem Aouar on Thursday night secured a stoppage time victory for Al-Ittihad when his 98th minute goal condemned Al-Taawoun to a 2-1 loss at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

On the opening day of the season, Aouar had scored in the 94th minute as Ittihad overcame Al-Okhdood 1-0 at Al-Hazem Club Stadium. And last night’s late intervention means that Laurent Blanc’s team now join Al-Hilal, Al-Qadsiah and Al-Ettifaq on a maximum of six points at the top of the Saudi Pro League table.

Al-Taawoun had shocked the 2022-2023 champions by taking the lead on 59 minutes thanks to Musa Barrow’s stunning long-range strike, but Karim Benzema levelled the score after 70 minutes with a superb back-heel flick from Moussa Diaby’s low cross.

Al-Taawoun looked to have escaped with a draw as the match drifted into stoppage time but a penalty award for a foul on Diaby — and the sending off of Awn Al-Saluli — allowed the Algerian star Aouar to have the last word.

Meanwhile Al-Shabab, having lost on the opening match day of the season to Al-Ettifaq, bounced back with a 1-0 win at Al-Khaleej thanks to Yannick Carrasco’s winner on 60 minutes.

In Thursday’s first match, Al-Riyadh defeated newly promoted Al-Kholood 3-1 at Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Stadium.

Topics: Saudi Pro League Al-Ittihad Al-Taawoun

Related

Al-Nassr claim first SPL win of season as Al-Qadsiah maintain perfect start
Sport
Al-Nassr claim first SPL win of season as Al-Qadsiah maintain perfect start
Firmino strikes on SPL opening day again as Al-Ahli beat Al-Orobah 2-0
Sport
Firmino strikes on SPL opening day again as Al-Ahli beat Al-Orobah 2-0

Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup has received the highest-ever rating: FIFA

Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup has received the highest-ever rating: FIFA
Updated 33 min 41 sec ago
Arab News
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup has received the highest-ever rating: FIFA

Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup has received the highest-ever rating: FIFA
  • Last October, a FIFA delegation arrived in the Kingdom to review the details of the bid and inspect the facilities to be used in the games
  • As stated in the bid, games will be played in 15 stadiums distributed across Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar, Abha, and Neom, plus  ten other hosting sites 
Updated 33 min 41 sec ago
Arab News

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup™ 2034 has received a rating of 419.8 out of 500, the highest technical rating ever given by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to a file submitted to host the event, the federation has said.

FIFA’s announcement came ahead of the federation’s general assembly on December 11 to decide which countries would host the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, the Saudi Press Agency reported early Saturday.

On July 29, a Saudi delegation led by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, minister of sport and president of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and Yasser Al-Misehal, Saudi Arabian Football Federation president, officially submitted the Kingdom’s bid book to FIFA to host the FIFA World Cup 2034™ at a ceremony hosted in Paris, France. 

Last October, a FIFA delegation arrived in the Kingdom to review the details of the bid. As proposed, 48 teams will be participating at venues in one country for the first time in history. 

The delegation visited the cities proposed to host the tournament, inspected the sports projects and facilities included in the bid, and reviewed other upcoming preparations.

Commenting on the FIFA announcement, Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz said the unlimited attention, empowerment and support received from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, contributing to the bid gaining the confidence of the international community. 

SAFF President Yasser Al-Misehal stressed that “through the bid file, we are committed to providing an exceptional experience for all participants in the tournament, whether teams or participating delegations, and certainly for fans and football lovers around the world.” 

Hammad Al-Balawi, head of the Bid File Unit, said “the Kingdom’s bid file offers five host cities with diverse cultural and urban character that help fans and football lovers explore unique cultures and experiences in different regions of the Kingdom.”

In addition, he said, ten other hosting sites that “contribute to enhancing the experience of the participating teams through training camps and modern sports facilities, in addition to providing high accessibility between cities.” 

As stated in the Kingdom’s bid, games will be played in 15 stadiums distributed across Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar, Abha, and Neom, in addition to the ten other hosting sites across the Kingdom. 
 

Topics: 2034 FIFA World Cup Saudi World Cup 2034 bid

Related

Saudi Arabia showcases FIFA World Cup bid at AFC conference in Seoul
Sport
Saudi Arabia showcases FIFA World Cup bid at AFC conference in Seoul
Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid
Sport
Neymar backs Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2034 FIFA World Cup bid

Saudi fighters shine as PFL MENA Championship delivers spectacular action in Riyadh

Saudi fighters shine as PFL MENA Championship delivers spectacular action in Riyadh
Updated 30 November 2024
Aisha Fareed
Follow

Saudi fighters shine as PFL MENA Championship delivers spectacular action in Riyadh

Saudi fighters shine as PFL MENA Championship delivers spectacular action in Riyadh
  • Hattan Alsaif, Abdullah Al-Qahtani wow the crowd on electrifying night
Updated 30 November 2024
Aisha Fareed

RIYADH: The Saudi duo of MMA fighters, Hattan Alsaif and Abdullah Al-Qahtani, shone at the PFL MENA Championship on an electrifying night in Riyadh.

The PFL (Professional Fighters League) delivered an evening of spectacular MMA action which showcased local and international talent while solidifying Saudi Arabia’s place on the global MMA stage.

The event featured a mix of thrilling showcase bouts and championship matches, leaving fans captivated by the high-level competition.

Costello van Steenis began the night with an impressive first-round knockout victory over Joao Dantas, landing a head kick at just 48 seconds. The win improved his career record to 16-3 and marked his fourth career knockout, maintaining his strong form of four victories in his last five fights.

Asael Adjoudj impressed in the featherweight division, securing a third-round guillotine choke submission against Jose Perez. The victory extended his remarkable winning streak to nine, bringing his career record to 9-1. Adjoudj remains undefeated since his professional debut loss, highlighting his rapid rise in the division.

Gabriel Braga bounced back from his PFL playoff semifinal loss with a unanimous decision win over Jeremy Kennedy. With his career record now at 15-2, Braga demonstrated resilience and technical skill, reaffirming his status as a top featherweight contender.

Slim Trabelsi continued his undefeated run with a hard-fought split-decision victory in a clash of unbeaten heavyweights against Englishman Abraham Bably. Utilizing his powerful striking and determination, Trabelsi improved his record to 8-0, showcasing his potential to rise further in the division.

On the Saudi front, Hattan Alsaif delivered a highlight-reel moment with a stunning knockout win over Lilia Osmani, further establishing herself as a fighter to watch.

Hattan Alsaif delivered a highlight-reel moment with a stunning knockout win over Lilia Osmani. (AN Photo/Loai Elkelawy)

The night’s crowning achievements came with two championship bouts. Abdullah Al-Qahtani secured the PFL MENA Featherweight Championship in front of his hometown crowd with a dominant first-round TKO against Marouane Bellagouit. The 26-year-old Riyadh native improved his record to 10-2, adding his fourth career knockout and earning his place as a hometown hero.

Egypt’s Omar El Dafrawy claimed the PFL MENA Welterweight Championship with a second-round TKO over Mohammad Alaqraa. The victory not only extended El Dafrawy’s winning streak to seven but also avenged a previous loss to Alaqraa. Now boasting a 13-6 record with eight knockouts, El Dafrawy demonstrated his growth and determination, cementing his status as a dominant force in the division.

The PFL MENA Championship in Riyadh was a landmark event for MMA in Saudi Arabia, showcasing the region’s growing talent and passion for the sport. With electrifying performances and enthusiastic support from local fans, the event marked another milestone in Saudi Arabia’s journey as a key player in the global MMA landscape.

Topics: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) MMA Saudi Arabia Professional Fighters League (PFL)

Related

Abdullah Al-Qahtani hopes for Saudi fans’ support in his PFL journey
Sport
Abdullah Al-Qahtani hopes for Saudi fans’ support in his PFL journey
Saudi’s Al-Qahtani faces Jordan’s Alhyasat as 4 champions to be crowned in first PFL MENA Championships
Sport
Saudi’s Al-Qahtani faces Jordan’s Alhyasat as 4 champions to be crowned in first PFL MENA Championships

Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund takes a stake in Audi’s future F1 team

The deal was announced deal announced at the Qatar Grand Prix which takes place this weekend. (AFP)
The deal was announced deal announced at the Qatar Grand Prix which takes place this weekend. (AFP)
Updated 29 November 2024
AP
Follow

Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund takes a stake in Audi’s future F1 team

The deal was announced deal announced at the Qatar Grand Prix which takes place this weekend. (AFP)
  • the Qatar Investment Authority will be “a long-term investor and partner” in the Audi F1 team
Updated 29 November 2024
AP

LUSAIL, Qatar: The sovereign wealth fund of Qatar is acquiring a “significant minority stake” in what will become Audi’s works Formula 1 team from 2026, in a deal announced Friday at the Qatar Grand Prix.
A joint statement said the Qatar Investment Authority will be “a long-term investor and partner” and provide “a substantial capital injection” that will help the team expand its infrastructure.
The team is currently competing as Sauber and will be rebranded as the Audi works outfit for 2026 after it reached agreement for a full takeover earlier this year.
“This additional capital will accelerate the team’s growth and is yet another milestone on our long-term strategy,” Audi chief executive Gernot Döllner said in the joint statement.
Qatar is already an investor in the Volkswagen Group, of which Audi is a part.
“QIA believes that Formula 1 is a sport with significant untapped investment potential,” QIA chief executive Mohammed Saif Al-Sowaidi said.
“The increasing commercialization of professional sports as an entertainment offering globally, and the increasingly global popularity of Formula 1, has made for an exciting opportunity for our first major motorsports investment.”
Sauber is changing both of its drivers for 2025, when Nico Hülkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto arrive to replace Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.
It is the only team yet to score a point this season. Bottas placed 13th and Zhou 19th in Friday’s qualifying for the Saturday sprint race, which was the first competitive session since the agreement was announced.

Topics: Qatar Grand Prix Audi Qatar Investment Authority

Related

Valtteri Bottas nears a return to Mercedes as F1 reserve after Mick Schumacher leaves
Sport
Valtteri Bottas nears a return to Mercedes as F1 reserve after Mick Schumacher leaves
Update Verstappen wins fourth consecutive Formula One world title
Sport
Verstappen wins fourth consecutive Formula One world title

GT World Challenge title to go down to the wire in Jeddah finale

GT World Challenge title to go down to the wire in Jeddah finale
Updated 29 November 2024
Arab News
Follow

GT World Challenge title to go down to the wire in Jeddah finale

GT World Challenge title to go down to the wire in Jeddah finale
  • The 6 Hours of Jeddah race marks the final race of the GTWC season with Mercedes, Porsche and Ferrari battling it out for the title
Updated 29 November 2024
Arab News

JEDDAH: Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed topped Friday’s Free Practice in the GT World Challenge finale at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, with Jules Gounon leading the way in a two-hour session that began in daylight and ended with the sun setting over the Red Sea. 

The 6 Hours of Jeddah race marks the final race of the GTWC season with Mercedes, Porsche and Ferrari battling it out for the title.

Gounon was the first driver to break the two-minute barrier, posting a 1m 59.839s at the halfway mark. He subsequently shaved a further three hundredths of this to end Free Practice with a 1m 59.804s. 

Matteo Cairoli came within touching distance of Gounon’s benchmark with a 1m 59.894s during the final 30 minutes. In doing so, the Iron Lynx Lamborghini jumped ahead of Maro Engel, whose time of 2m 00.093s demonstrated that the Mercedes Team Mann-Filter entry is fully up to speed following its testing accident on Thursday.

Gold Cup title favorite Sainteloc Racing placed fourth overall with Gilles Magnus at the wheel of the Audi. The Rutronik Racing Porsche continued the strong pace it demonstrated on Thursday by placing fifth overall and leading the Bronze Cup thanks to Loek Hartog.

The Boutsen VDS Mercedes-AMG was sixth, followed by the title-chasing AF Corse Francorchamps Motors Ferrari.

Sainteloc Racing also paced the Silver Cup with its #26 Audi. Kobe Pauwels posted a 2m 00.494s to place 19th overall. A total of 47 cars were on-track during Free Practice following the withdrawal of the Walkenhorst Motorsport Aston Martin, which crashed during Thursday’s Bronze Test. 

In contrast with Thursday’s sessions, Free Practice brought almost no on-track incidents. A number of cars brushed the wall as they tested the limits of the high-speed Jeddah circuit, but there were no stoppages during the two-hour run.

However, there was more bad news for the Walkenhorst squad, which suffered a serious fire in one of its Aston Martins. No one was harmed in the incident, though the car’s continued participation in the event is unclear.  

Topics: Motorsport GT World Challenge Europe Saudi Arabia Jeddah

Related

Special Jeddah set for Fanatec GT World Challenge race
Sport
Jeddah set for Fanatec GT World Challenge race
Jeddah set to host closing round of Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe
Sport
Jeddah set to host closing round of Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe

Norris boosts McLaren title hopes with sprint pole

Norris boosts McLaren title hopes with sprint pole
Updated 29 November 2024
AFP
Follow

Norris boosts McLaren title hopes with sprint pole

Norris boosts McLaren title hopes with sprint pole
  • Norris clocked a best time in one minute and 21.012 seconds to outpace Russell, the winner in Nevada, by just 0.063 seconds at the end of a closely-fought session
  • Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren was third
Updated 29 November 2024
AFP

DOHA: Lando Norris lifted the spirits of his title-chasing McLaren team on Friday when he powered to pole position ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell in qualifying for Saturday’s sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix.
After a disappointing outing in Las Vegas, where his drivers’ title hopes ended as Max Verstappen clinched his fourth championship with Red Bull, the British driver was back on top form under the lights at the Lusail International Circuit.
Norris clocked a best time in one minute and 21.012 seconds to outpace Russell, the winner in Nevada, by just 0.063 seconds at the end of a closely-fought session. Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren was third.
“It’s tough,” said Norris of his laps and the speed of the track.
“It is so quick around here. It feels like the quickest of the year and in the final sector you feel like you are just hanging on.
“I want to win and I want to win every session as a driver. Our target tomorrow is a one-two so we maximize the points for our constructors’ but we know Mercedes and Ferrari will be quick.”
The Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc qualified fourth and fifth ahead of Verstappen and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes, an outcome that was not enough to buoy hopes that the Italian team can stop McLaren claiming their first constructors’ title in 26 years.
Pierre Gasly took an impressive eighth for Alpine ahead of Nico Hulkenberg of Haas and RB’s Liam Lawson.
McLaren hold a 24 points lead in the teams’ title race with 608 to Ferrari on 584.
With two Grands Prix remaining, including one sprint, McLaren can clinch the title with a dominant weekend ahead of Ferrari in both the sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix.
In cooling conditions with temperatures of 19 (air) and 22 (track) falling as darkness descended, Kevin Magnussen set the early benchmark time for Haas in 1:23.750 before the ‘big boys’ joined the fray, Sainz soon going top.
Norris then gave notice of his intentions with a lap in 1:22.785, but it was not enough as speeds increased with the drop in temperature and Ferrari took advantage with Leclerc and Sainz on top.
With three minutes remaining in SQ1, Norris bounced back in 1:22.021, a time Russell equalled exactly with the same lap time. Piastri, last year’s winner, went fourth, six-tenths off his team-mate’s best time.
Norris trimmed his time to 1:21.356 in the final seconds to finish four-tenths clear of Sainz, six-tenths ahead of Russell and Verstappen with Hamilton fifth.
But it was another painful session for Sergio Perez of Red Bull who exited in Q1 along with RB’s Yuki Tsunoda, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, Zhou Guanyu of Sauber and Williams’ Franco Colapinto.
As prescribed, all of the cars ran on medium compound tires and nearly all of them were under investigation by the stewards for driving too slowly, at times, in SQ1 as they ‘backed up’ to seek a ‘tow’.
The SQ2 segment began with Verstappen on top before Leclerc took over in 1:22.130 and then Piastri in 1:22.050, the leading teams all very clothed matched.
With two minutes to go, Norris was back in control in 1:22.231 ahead of Russell and Piastri with Verstappen fourth until Hamilton knocked him down to fifth ahead of the two Ferraris.
Out this time went two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, Williams’ Alex Albon, Valtteri Bottas of Sauber, Lance Stroll in the second Aston Martin and Magnussen.
The top ten shootout began with Leclerc in a hurry to clock 1:21.706, as they all switched to softs, Norris lapping in 1:21.012 for top spot with Piastri a tenth down in second. McLaren looked imperious.

Topics: Qatar Grand Prix Lando Norris McLaren Mercedes George Russell

Related

McLaren’s Norris wins sprint race at Brazilian Grand Prix to cut gap on overall leader Verstappen
Sport
McLaren’s Norris wins sprint race at Brazilian Grand Prix to cut gap on overall leader Verstappen
Relentless Max Verstappen can clinch his 3rd F1 title as early as the sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix
Sport
Relentless Max Verstappen can clinch his 3rd F1 title as early as the sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix

Latest updates

North Korea’s Kim vows steadfast support for Russia’s war in Ukraine
North Korea’s Kim vows steadfast support for Russia’s war in Ukraine
Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup has received the highest-ever rating: FIFA
Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup has received the highest-ever rating: FIFA
Explosion damages canal feeding Kosovo’s main power plants
Explosion damages canal feeding Kosovo’s main power plants
Senior Russian diplomat says possibility of new nuclear tests remains open question
Senior Russian diplomat says possibility of new nuclear tests remains open question
Ireland headed for coalition government following parliamentary election, exit poll suggests
Ireland headed for coalition government following parliamentary election, exit poll suggests

Search form

Print Edition
Read pdf version Subscribe now
© 2024 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.